Metal exposure from environmental pollution is associated with increased buildup of calcium in the coronary arteries at a level that is comparable to traditional risk factors like smoking and diabetes, according to a study. The findings support the fact that metals in the body are associated with the progression of plaque buildup in the arteries. Atherosclerosis is a condition where the arteries become narrowed and hardened due to a buildup of plaque. It's an underlying cause of heart attacks, strokes and peripheral artery disease (PAD), the most common forms of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Atherosclerosis causes coronary artery calcium (CAC). Researchers...